Hex Sortilege knows he cannot learn from the mistakes of his past if he does not know what they are. Instructed by Emperor Enoch Oberon to document the important events of his time, Hex narrates a fantasy tale like no other, describing a hidden version of Shreveport, Louisiana, populated by angelic, demonic, and lycanthropic humanoids. After King Enoch sends Hex to investigate a young elf known to have a dark aura about her, his normally peaceful life rapidly turns into a nightmare. When he encounters the feisty elf in an underground bar, she informs him she has come to Shreveport to escape the Ancient's pathetic High Council and all its rules. Unfortunately, the elf has already broken two rules, and Hex must take her by force to see the King immediately. But when she meets the King Enoch, all hell breaks loose; she unleashes her fiery temper and reveals the true reason for her presence to the Shreveport monarchy. Everyone knows the Ancients of 318 kneel before nothing-not even their own vices. But it is only a matter of time before the King and the residents of Shreveport are unintentionally entangled in the inexhaustible drama that surrounds a manipulative elf.

Ancients of 318

The lost book of SortilegeBy Jesse Aaron Blackbourne

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Jesse Aaron Blackbourne
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4502-8213-0

Chapter One

She walked slowly along the edge of the battlefield as she gazed with her empty black eyes upon the bodies of the fallen soldiers and what remained of the charred rubble that was once a small, quiet town. Her long, ash colored hair gently swept across the blood soaked ground. She could not help but feel pride from her accomplishment as she thought, "Surely I will be in Zorrati's favor now."

The demon princess was beside herself with glee; however, she only allowed herself a half grin to express her delight. She continued her prideful walk through the battlefield – until her eyes caught the glimpse of a strange dark green object clutched in the grasp of the burnt skeletal remains of a fallen enemy. She curiously walked toward the object, realizing how strange it was that the body was burned to bone and ash, yet the object remained unharmed.

"What sorcery is this?" she whispered under her breath as she stepped close enough to realize the object in question was some sort of book.

The book was bound in dark green leather and held shut by a silver lock. Sculpted into the leather cover was a familiar symbol of an upside down triangle with three lines extending from the center, stopping at its corners. Underneath this strangely familiar symbol were the words, Imperial Archive Volume 777 written by Hex Sortilege.

The demon recognized that name, it belonging to one of her enemies' generals. She knew there must be some sort of secret plans or hidden location buried in the text of this book. The book was magically sealed; however, her demonic powers easily overwhelmed the sorcery holding it shut and she ripped the silver lock off the book. As she opened it, a note fell out of the front cover. She grabbed the note quickly before it landed on the ground and read it before continuing on to the text of the manuscript. The note read ...

Dear Olivia,

Please take this manuscript to my old teacher, Lord Vladimir Draconis. It is the latest volume of the Imperial Archives that I have written. It contains a detailed record of the events that have led to this war. Tell him I am sending him this volume so that he may use its contents to convince your father and the rest of the Nest members to send assistance to the Empire. I am aware of the Circle's laws on staying neutral, but if the Circle does not intervene on these matters, the balance of the entire world may be at risk.

I cannot deliver it myself, as you probably already know; I am being hunted by the Circle. In fact, you are probably the one hunting me. I understand that you are doing your job and being loyal to your duty. I respect that. But, I have not lost my mind. I did what I did only out of instinct. I had no control over myself. Hopefully, after you read this text, you will understand. I only ask that you do as you have always done, and just trust me.

-Hex- Zirdo a Ozien de a Vovin!

After reading the note, the demon crumbled it in her hand and tossed it over her shoulder. She then continued on to read the pages of text within the leather bound cover ...

Imperial Archive: Volume 777 Author: Hex Sortilege

With awakening statements written by Carol Armstrong and Josh De'Monte,

this volume of text is part of the Archives of Oberon's Empire. This and all other volumes of the Archives are to be used for the historical education of future generations of ancients, and it should never leave the archive unless permission is granted by the Emperor. The crime of removing a volume of the archives without permission is punishable by no less than one year of incarceration at the proving grounds and no more than death. Offenders will face Imperial Justice.

My name is Hex Sortilege, and I have been instructed by Emperor Enoch Oberon to write this volume of the Imperial Archives. I have never written an archive before, so this will probably be different than the other texts in your studies you are more familiar with. Why Enoch has asked me to write this volume is still a mystery to me; however, he is Enoch, and he never decides anything without a reason. I have learned to trust in that fact over the years. The Oberon family has always felt that documentation of important events is critical to our survival.

Malich always used to say, "We can't learn from the mistakes of the past if we don't know what they are."

So it has become tradition for all ancients to document their awakenings in their own words, and that the Empire should keep a record of all major events. I chose to include Carol and Josh's statements because their awakenings came at a time of significant importance, and their statements hold valuable information that correlate with the rest of the events I am documenting.

As a stipulation for me writing this archive, I have asked the Emperor if I could include some of my poetry. He, of course, agreed to the stipulation. I do hope you enjoy them; but, if you do not, I don't care. I am the one writing this archive and you are a student; therefore, you have no say in the matter. The rest of the archive will be an accounting of the events that have taken place in Louisiana during the month of February in the year 2009.

Magical we

Here be us, magical we
Hiding among normality

Mystical souls of earthly desire
Dancing around our wondrous fire

Whispering secrets into the wind
Swimming the waters of the river's bend

Chasing the Wolf through the moonlight
The blood will flow when the Bats take flight
And the elves are ready to join the fight

The Demons wait in want and regret
While the Necromancers observe the new found threat

The Angels sing a song of the king
While the humans are blind to everything

The dragons try and keep the balance
But achieving that takes more than talent

The Wiccans hang on to the old religions
While the untrained cultists make bad decisions

Spirits dance behind the veil
While the Gods do hope that we prevail

Hear these words, for this prophet is true
Among the many we are the few
You may not see us, but we're all around you.


To "The Family" ... Call me Sortilege
I remember when we were called family
When I was known as just Phoenix
And our bonds were tight knit
Like a genetic double helix
Most of us searching the quick fix
To life's little turns, twists, and cruel tricks
I remember the what-am-I
The what-is-he
The who-is-who
And the what-could-she-be
Misinformed of our true nature
Dancing like puppets
For a twisted mind's pleasure
But being there for each other
Hoping not to fail one another
Follow the leader further
Every day something new to discover
Searching to infinity
To find ourselves a new identity
Lost in a spiral
Of mystical insanity
Then hope turned to dread
When old one-eye lost his head
And Lies and deceit
Made the Outlaw's bed
A Raven's manipulation
Sowed the seeds of destruction
And all blamed she
Who was mad with confusion
Though the Countess held the strings
Of all these precious things
The Raven set up
With betrayal in her wings
Some fools...